Summer Solstice

As the first day of Summer officially starts I start to think what birding is like where you live during the hotter months of the year. During the Spring and Autumn we’re all giddy over the bi-annual migration with all it’s surprises and rarities. I’m just a guilty as the next birder who’s chased a rarity during these prime birding times. However, what effort do any of us put forward as we spot the same birds over and over again every time we go out into the field?

In a case like this I enjoy changing up the location as to where I bird. A change in scenery is always nice, and even though visiting a new place can be intimidating, think of the adventure and memories. If you happen to live close to another state check out ebird to see if any unusual birds are in a neighboring state.

Plan a trip. All my “On The Road” series of trips weren’t thrown together at the last minute. Prep work for me starts as soon as I’m inspired. For instance with all this hot weather we’re having in Southwest Ohio I’m beginning to touch base with John and Jon about a trip to Northern Michigan in either January or February for some very cool birds of the Great White North. Boreal Chickadees, Gray Jays, Hoary Redpolls, and Pine Grosbeaks.

Prepare for Fall migration. It’ll be here before you know it, and will you be prepared for all those confusing Fall Warblers. We can’t depend on them to sing those familiar Springtime songs we all know by heart, now we have to rely on some studying to tell the difference between a Blackpoll and a Pine Warbler. Check your local Listserv’s and find where the hotspots might be and begin to scout out these places.

Birding during the Summer doesn’t have to be such a awful thing, all you have to do is use your imagination and the skill you already have to make it one of the best Summers in a long time. So fill up your water bottle and slather on the sun screen and bug repellant, lets go birding.